After the concubine ran away, the cold prince lost control

Chapter 464 Family Matters
Autumn came in a flash, and the two children of Lu Ji and Qin Xiaoning were one year old.

The two children have noble status and are the eldest grandchildren of the Lu family, so the first birthday gifts for the children are naturally incomparable to those of ordinary families.

"For the children's first birthday ceremony, I mean to hold a grand ceremony." The Duchess's wife sat at the head, holding her two grandchildren, and spoke to everyone with a smile.

Li Lanchun echoed, "Now that our family has grown, we naturally have to have a good time and give a glimpse to those who used to laugh at our family behind our backs."

Li Lanchun was of a straightforward character, and her words had no personal purpose. However, the Second Lady and Xia Yun, who were standing nearby, felt uncomfortable when they heard what she said.

Especially Xia Yun, who has not given birth to a child for the Lu family yet. Seeing that Li Lanchun and Qin Xiaoning both had sons, she naturally felt unhappy.

The first birthday ceremony of the eldest grandson of the Lu family is a major event in the harem, so the old lady who has always been aloof from worldly affairs also came to the meeting hall today for the first time. She listened to the words of her daughter-in-law and grandson's wife, but did not express her opinion. Instead, she looked at Qin Xiaoning who was sitting below and asked, "Second son's wife, you are the child's biological mother. What do you think about the child's first birthday ceremony?"

Because of Wang Fengyi, the lady had disliked Qin Xiaoning ever since she married Lu Ji. She would ignore her whenever she saw her. It seemed like this was the first time in the past two years that she had suddenly spoken to her like she did today.

Qin Xiaoning was slightly stunned by the sudden action of the lady, and the other female relatives could not help but be surprised. However, Qin Xiaoning reacted quickly, put on a smile, and replied: "I don't quite agree with holding a big birthday ceremony for the child."

The Duke's wife and Li Lanchun both said that they should have a grand celebration, but Qin Xiaoning disagreed. As soon as she said this, everyone's eyes were focused on her.

The lady said "Oh" and then said, "As the saying goes, a mother is honored by her son. In this wealthy family, all the wives of the clan hope that their sons can get more attention and be more prominent."

Qin Xiaoning smiled faintly and said, "Grandma is right. All mothers hope that their children will be loved more. However, there is a saying that goes, 'Parents who love their children will plan for them in the long run.' Although the two children were born in a wealthy family, I feel that excessive love will make them develop a spoiled character."

She paused and lowered her voice appropriately: "In addition, now our prince is a minister of regent, the eldest uncle is a senior member of the cabinet, and the third brother has also become a minister. The Lu family can be said to have reached its peak, but as the saying goes, everything that goes up must come down. Although it may seem glorious, there are actually many dangers hidden inside. Therefore, my granddaughter-in-law believes that we should keep a low profile and act prudently to avoid being envied and causing trouble."

Qin Xiaoning's words impressed all the women in the room.

"Although Aning is young, I didn't expect that she has such knowledge. It's not simple, not simple." The second lady was the first to praise.

The wife of the Duke was naturally pleased to know that her daughter-in-law was a woman of vision and insight. She smiled from ear to ear, and her eyes were filled with deep love as she looked at Qin Xiaoning.

"What Ah Ning said makes sense." Li Lanchun smiled and said with emotion: "Oh, it has to be a scholar. I have a rough temper and suffered from not studying hard. When I look back, I have to urge my eldest and second sisters to study hard."

The Duke's wife kissed the two little grandchildren on her lap and said with finality, "Then let's do as Ning said. We won't hold a grand ceremony for the child's first birthday. We can just invite family members and some close relatives."

As she spoke, the Duke's wife looked at the Dowager and asked, "Mother, do you think this is a good idea?"

The lady didn't say anything, just nodded, then turned to look at Qin Xiaoning, her eyes becoming much gentler.

They had just finished discussing the children's first birthday party and were about to get up when Xia Yun lost her balance and fainted. Fortunately, she was supported by the maid beside her.

"What's wrong?" The second wife asked anxiously, "Is he sick?"

"Help her to the inner room first, and then go get the doctor." The Duke's wife called the maids. Xia Yun was helped by Qin Xiaoning and Li Lanchun to lie down in the inner room. After a while, the court doctor came in with a medicine box. After feeling the pulse, the doctor smiled and congratulated the ladies: "Congratulations to the Madam, the Duke's wife, and the Second Madam. The Third Madam is pregnant."

As soon as these words were spoken, the room suddenly became lively.

Xia Yun was so shocked that she sat up immediately, not caring about her manners at all, and grabbed the doctor and asked, "Are you serious? Are you serious? Am I really pregnant?"

"Really, seriously." The doctor comforted Xia Yun: "It's only been a little over a month, the fetus is still unstable, Third Grandma must be more careful."

"Buddha bless!"

"Ancestors bless you!"

After a while, the Duke's wife and the second wife had recited the names of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and ancestors of the Lu family.

Xia Yun has been married into the Lu family for six years and now she is finally pregnant again. How can everyone not be happy?

Several women carried Xia Yun back to the courtyard on a soft frame. The Taifu, the Duke's wife, and the Second Madam followed happily behind as if they were protecting a golden nugget.

"Oh! That's great. If my third brother's wife can give birth to a son successfully, our family will be complete." Li Lanchun and Qin Xiaoning watched everyone escort Xia Yun away, and couldn't help but smile and sigh to Qin Xiaoning.

The two sisters-in-law left the meeting room and were halfway there when they saw the steward from the second house rushing over. When she saw the two mistresses, the steward came forward and said, "Madams, something bad has happened. Something has happened in the fourth young master's room."

"What happened?" The two sisters-in-law asked almost at the same time.

The steward replied, "She is a maid from the Fourth Young Master's courtyard."

She glanced at the two mistresses' expressions and hesitantly said, "The girl's name is Yingzi. This afternoon, the nanny in the fourth young master's room went into the room to do her job and unexpectedly ran into Yingzi. She, she was talking to the fourth young master..."

The manager was hesitant and looked like he couldn't say anything. Li Lanchun was so anxious that she couldn't help but shout, "What's going on? Tell me now."

Li Lanchun stared anxiously: "Could it be that she seduced Fourth Brother to do something shameful?"

"Grandma, you guessed right." As soon as Li Lanchun said this, the steward knelt down immediately in fear: "Please both ladies help me. I am the steward of the second house. I sent that girl in. She was supposed to be a responsible person. Who would have thought she would do such a thing?"

It is common for a master and a maid to have a relationship in an ordinary wealthy family, but if it happens in a government mansion, it is a violation of family rules.

The government does not allow unmarried men to take concubines.

The reason why Lu Ji married Qin Xiaoning was because of special circumstances. Even so, it was only possible after approval from the clan and family elders and a clear path forward.

Li Lanchun was so angry that she stamped her feet. "How could this fourth brother be so foolish? He is not married, he has no achievements, and Second Aunt is keeping a close eye on him. How dare he do such a thing? Oh! What a sin, what a sin."